Parshat Lech-Lecha

8 Cheshvan 5754
Saturday, October 23, 1993

Guest Rabbi:
Rabbi Elias Lauer
American Friends of Yisrael Hatzair

Chaim S. Kaminetzky, National President
Gerald L. Kaufman, Chairman of the Board
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, National Executive Director
Rabbi Ephraim H. Sturm, Director, International Council of Young Israel

Sponsored by UMB Bank and Trust Company -- America's only Shomer Shabbat Bank

One would expect the Torah to have taught us that Avraham Avinu's faith in HaShem was immediately rewarded with the fulfillment of the promises that were made to him by G-d. Instead we are surprised to learn that Avraham, following G-d's directive to leave his land, his birthplace and his father's house, arrives in Canaan to find a famine and is forced to leave and travel to Egypt. Only later does Avraham return to Canaan "kavaid meod", after having amassed a great fortune in cattle, silver and gold. But why, one wonders, was there the initial delay in the fulfillment of HaShem's promise of blessing?

Moreover, Rashi, in commenting on the Torah's description of the route traveled by Avraham on his return to Canaan (Bereishit 13:3), quotes the Midrash and tells us that Avraham retraced his original steps, so that he could "repay his debts". What kind of debts did Avraham incur. Are we to believe that in return for following G-d's commandments, Avraham not only finds famine in Canaan, but incurred debt as well? Is this how we are to understand "avorechacha v'yehey bracha"?

There are several answers that one can give but, of these, there is one in particular that I would like to share with you as being especially meaningful in the light of today's unfolding world events. It is the view that explains Avraham's debt, not as a monetary debt of gold or silver or anything of material value, but rather a debt of "words". Avraham had to retrace his steps because he owed an answer to so many people - an answer that he did not have when he left Canaan but which he was now prepared to give based upon his new insight of HaShem, learned from his experiences in Egypt.

For when Avraham first arrived in Canaan and found famine rather than the blessing that G-d had promised, he became vulnerable to those who heckled him and mocked his teachings of the existence of G-d. "Is this how G-d is true to His word," they asked? "Is this the brocha that you were promised?" Avraham remained steadfast in his emunah, he had his faith and his belief, from which no scorn or ridicule could sway him. But while he believed that G-d would fulfill His promise, he had no answer for those who ridiculed him.

It is only now, when he leaves Mitzrayim laden with the great fortune that he has amassed, that Avraham realizes that the fulfillment of His promises do not necessarily come on the very same day that the promise is made. That man must retain his faith and his emunah but, as the Psalmist teaches, "elef shanim k'yom echad"- in the eyes of HaShem a thousand years is as one day. That the fulfillment of HaShem's promises may take years, centuries or millenniums but that His promises will see fulfillment according to a timetable that He alone comprehends.

It is with this new understanding that Avraham is most anxious to retrace his original steps as he returns to Canaan. He "owes" an answer to all those who mocked him. He retraces his original route to make sure that he answers all who he could not answer before.

This explanation is particularly meaningful to us in our day as we see events taking place in the world about us- in Israel in particular- which obviously show the "Yad HaShem"- the hand of G-d- but which we, with our limited capacity, do not comprehend and do not fully understand. The lesson that can be learned from Avraham is that although we may have no answer at the moment, we must remain steadfast in our emunah, and continue to give strength and support to those who uphold the ideals of Torah and yahadut. We may not have the answers now but, with faith in HaShem, we, too, will ultimately have the answer.

One final thought. Following Avraham's return to Canaan, the Torah tells us of the dispute between the shepherds of Avraham and the shepherds of Lot and then adds, "v''hacannani v'haprizi oz yoshev boretz" - Canaani and Prizi
then dwelled (singular) in the land. The obvious question is why "yoshev" in the singular? We are speaking of two nations and the plural form should have been used? The answer is as obvious as the question, and teaches us a lesson for all times. When there is division in our midst, among brethren who should be united, then our enemies become united as one.

At this crucial juncture in the history of our people, as we witness the Yad HaShem in events that are beyond our understanding, may we be united as one with our brethren in Israel and, more particularly with the more than 50 branches of Young Israel in Israel (know there as Yisrael Hatzair), half of which are located in Yehuda and Shomron. They need our help and our chizuk and support to endure these most difficult times. May we be responsive to the needs of the hour and, in that z'chut, may we merit the witnessing of U'va LeZion Goail- speedily in our day. Amen.

*The National Council of Young Israel is proud to announce that the first year's Divrei Torah Bulletins has been printed in book form. An important addition to every library, you can get it from your local Judaica bookstore or by sending a check for $11.45 ($9.95 per copy plus $1.50 shipping/handling) to the National Council of Young Israel, 3 West 16th Street, New York, New York 10011.

*The National Council of Young Israel is proud to welcome to the Young Israel movement Rabbi Daniel Frank, Young Israel of Westport/Norwalk, Connecticut; Rabbi Shmuel Landesman, Young Israel of Massapequa, Long Island, New York; and Rabbi Yehoshua Weber, Young Israel of Canarsie, New York. We at the National Council are proud to have been involved in their placement. We would also like to welcome Rabbi Naftoli Hexter who is the new Rabbi of the Young Israel of Los Angeles, California.

*The National Council of Young Israel 1993-94 Diary Calendars and the Fall 1993 Viewpoint have been received by our national membership. If you did not receive your copy, please call the National Council of Young Israel at (212)929-1525/(800)727-8567 or write to us at 3 West 16th Street, New York, New York 10011.

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